Help Out: May 5, 2013

ByStaff reports

Violins for painting

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Youth Symphony is collecting old violins to use in a fundraising project.

A dozen local artists have been selected to paint a violin during the summer; the painted instrument will be auctioned at a fall event. To donate a violin, contact painted violin project Chairwoman Helen Lodge at 304-925-8828.

In 2002, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra held a similar fundraiser with artists such as Betty Warner, Emily Roles and Roger Lucas painting violins that others had sponsored. More than $10,000 was raised.

Domestic violence victims

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Legal Aid and the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence are holding a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 9 at the Craik-Patton House on Kanawha Boulevard East.

The happy-hour event will have a gardening theme, with Master Gardeners selling plants. Attendees may also enjoy appetizers, drinks and the Pennington Project Band. The Women's Clubs of West Virginia have prepared baskets for a silent auction.

Proceeds will go to a fund to provide financial assistance to victims and survivors of domestic violence who are rebuilding their lives. Money has been given from past events to buy textbooks, nursing scrubs, fix a car, pay for medical bills -- targeted funding in small but critical amounts to help victims overcome obstacles to rebuilding their lives.

Drop off items at Manna Meal, 1105 Quarrier St., from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. any day, or at the Food Pantry, 16 Leon Sullivan Way, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, or at Covenant House, 600 Shrewsbury St., from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Kanawha County Library needs community volunteers to stage the main library's street fair June 29, during the last weekend of FestivALL.

Tasks include setup, cleanup, overseeing children's activities and selling items in the book sale. Volunteers for setup and cleanup should be capable of lifting heavy items.

Setup for the book sale will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 28; setup for the street fair begins at 8 a.m. June 29. The street fair runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and cleanup takes place immediately after the event ends.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Children with cystic fibrosis and their families are being treated to the May 5 baseball game between West Virginia University and the University of Oklahoma.

The WVU Charleston Division department of pediatrics is hosting the 1 p.m. game at Appalachian Power Park.

In addition to the ballgame, Paterno's at the Park restaurant is contributing a portion of its proceeds on May 4 and 11 to support the WVU Charleston Division pediatric cystic fibrosis program.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

The deadline for submissions to Help Out is noon Wednesday for the following Sunday. If you would like a response from the public, please provide the name and telephone number of a person who can be listed in the newspaper. Send information via email to earle@wvgazette.com, by fax to 304-348-1233, or by regular mail to Help Out, The Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301.